Question:
Post Ops and Fibromyalgia

I have heard that some doctors require their patients to quit taking their meds for FM. The last time I did (for a medical procedure)that I had one of the worst flares ever. What has your experience been? You can email me at [email protected] thanks    — Nancee D. (posted on August 3, 2002)

August 3, 2002
Nancee, my surgeon required that I stop taking my anti-inflammatory medication three days before surgery. I was starting to feel uncomfortable by the day of surgery, but I think that the general anesthesia and pain medications that I took post-op probably helped me feel no symptoms from my fibromyalgia while I was in the hospital. RNY patients are advised not to take aspirin or NSAIDS (ibuprofen, Motrin, Aleve, etc...) post-op due to the risk of gastric irritation and possible ulcer formation at the sensitive suture or staple line in the new pouch. However, for those patients like me, with a longstanding history of arthritis/joint disease/fibromyalgia, my surgeon prescribes Arthrotec, which is a combination of Voltaren (NSAID) and Cytotec, a drug which specifically protects the stomach lining. I began taking that one week post-op and had no problems. Fortunately, as my weight dropped and I reached "goal", the symptoms of my fibromyalgia lessened dramatically. Some days or weeks, I have no symptoms at all....other times, I will experience a mild flare-up and have to take the Arthrotec for a couple of days, then I'm fine again. It's worth asking your surgeon's opinion about this drug. Good luck!
   — Diana T.

August 4, 2002
If you're speaking about NSAIDS, no, we can't take NSAIDS after surgery. But since Fibromyalgia is NOT an inflammatory process, NSAIDS do not relieve Fibromyalgia pain. If you have joint pain, (plus fibro), the NSAIDS are most probably relieving the joint pain, not the fibro. See my website on Fibromyalgia at: www.plaidrabbit.com for more info. My fibromyalgia is just as bad, and some days worse, even after surgery. The joint pain in my knees and ankles has been relieved greatly by losing 66 lbs. though. So overall, painwise, I do feel somewhat better. I didn't expect the fibro to go away after surgery, as I was 155 lbs. when I was first diagnosed with it, and weight loss really doesn't make that much difference. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 4, 2002
I have had great success with "Trigger Point" accupuncture therapy for my joint & muscle pain. My former PCP is a medical accupuncturist and while I wasn't formally diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I had many of the pressure point pain, etc. After 2 sessions (I had more sessions), I was off of the voltaren & advil...Just a thought...Good Luck!
   — Anne F.